April 7, 2020, Austin, TX – In response to requests by the City of Austin and the Capital Area Medical Operations Center (CAMOC), the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) today announced the launch of a drive aimed at collecting more than 20,000 homemade face masks. DIY face masks are urgently needed amid the growing threat of COVID-19 and new evidence from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggesting that asymptomatic people can spread the virus.

Donated face masks will be distributed by the City of Austin and CAMOC to care givers and essential personnel throughout the City of Austin, Travis County and the 11 counties under the Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council (CATRAC).

“We’ve been told by the City of Austin, CAMOC and CATRAC that the need for DIY face masks is immediate,” Daniel Geraci, Executive Director of ADRN, said. “We are mobilizing our network of churches to create task forces to recruit, equip and implement DIY face mask creation. We are also believing in faith that thousands of people will rise up to the challenges of making and donating these urgently needed homemade masks.”

Those donating DIY face masks are asked to drop them off at ADRN’s headquarters, located at 1122 E. 51st, Austin, TX 78723. ADRN is the sole collector of DIY facemasks for this request.

DROP OFF TIMES: Monday-Saturday, 10AM-6PM (please drop off at the back dock of Hope Family Thrift Store/ADRN HQ)

In addition to collecting facemasks, ADRN is also raising money to fund its citywide coronavirus response efforts. All funds raised will go toward our response efforts (outlined below) and providing churches and volunteers with the tools, trainings and resources needed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those impacted by COVID-19.
ADRN’s response to the coronavirus has so far included the following:

Food sorting and preparation for delivery. ADRN is assisting churches working to prep and sort food for the Central Texas Food Bank.

Weekly, live-streamed one-hour prayer events to lead Austinites in an hour of prayer, from 12PM – 1PM, every Monday.

The launch of a virtual Prayer Hotline giving our trained volunteers the opportunity to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of callers from their homes. The hotline is currently accepting calls from Austinites experiencing fear and anxiety caused by COVID-19, job losses, economic uncertainty, etc. Our Prayer Hotline number is: 512-537-7100

DIY facemask collection as stated above.
All donations are currently being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $35,000. Donations can be made online through https://adrn.org/give/ or mailed to: ADRN, P.O. Box 15424, Austin, TX 78761 (Attn: Coronavirus Response).

About ADRN

Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), bringing hope into crisis, is a network of Greater Austin churches and trained volunteers who are prepared and ready to meet the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of those affected by disaster, great or small. (Luke 10:25-37).

ADRN is a proud ECFA Accredited organization following the highest standards in the non-profit world in terms of financial stewardship.

ADRN is honored to have earned a 2019 Gold Seal of Transparency, highlighting the difference we help to make in the world.